Idiom Illustrations

Read the book, “Monkey Business” by Wallace Edwards, sharing the imaginative, detailed illustrations of idioms to the class. Discuss the definition of idiom, how it has a figurative meaning separate from its literal meaning. Brainstorm with the class and create a list of idioms.

Have each student choose an idiom that they will illustrate with an original drawing.

Students draw and color their depiction of the idiom using Crayola® Washable Markers and Crayons on Construction Paper.

LA: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

LA: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.

LA: Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

LA: Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

LA: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade level topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

VA: Students will initiate making works of art and design by experimenting, imagining and identifying content.

VA: Students will investigate, plan and work through materials and ideas to make works of art and design.

VA: Students demonstrate an understanding that art communicates about and helps viewers understand the natural and constructed world.

Make an interactive matching game with the artwork and idioms. Students draw their illustrations without writing the idiom on their artwork. Collect the artwork and write the idioms on separate sheets of paper. Pass out the idioms to the students. Display the artwork and have students match up the idiom to the artwork.

Illustrate other literary terms like alliterations, simile, or metaphor.

Classroom Resources include: “In a Pickle: And Other Funny Idioms” by Marvin Terban and Giulio Maestro, “Raining Cats and Dogs” by Will Moses.